Latest news with #JournalofMedicalCaseReports
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman catches fungal infection in her genitals after using common health supplement
Experts have voiced concern over the safety of skin, hair and nail supplements, after a woman developed a nasty vaginal infection as a result of taking the vitamin pills. After just a few weeks on the daily supplements, which contain a host of nutrients including vitamin C, collagen and calcium, the 64 year-old began to experience a burning sensation when she went to the toilet. Around the same time, in February this year, she noticed a dark, yellow, foul-smelling discharge in her underwear. Both symptoms are consistent with thrush, a common genital infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida yeast. Reporting the case in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, the scientists from Purdue University College of Pharmacy in Indiana noted that the problems vanished as soon as the woman stopped taking the supplement. There is no published evidence to suggest the vitamins and minerals in the product can trigger thrush, so the experts theorised that the problem was likely caused by inactive components or preservatives in the pills. These could have altered the vaginal pH, leading to an environment in which the Candida yeast can thrive, the researchers wrote. It is believed the woman is a unique case as there have been no other previous reports of the same incident occurring. The beauty capsules, which cost around £30, are said to improve the health and appearance of hair, skin and nails by providing nutrients known to be vital for cells in those tissues to thrive. They typically contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, folate, zinc, rutin, inositol and collagen. Hair, skin, and nail supplements are not regulated by health chiefs, such as the Food and Drug Administration in the US, or the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and so are not tested for safety and efficacy, which limits the knowledge of negative effects. The researchers urged that common, readily available supplements can have little-known, unpleasant side effects. It follows a 2024 US review published in JAMA Network Open that suggested six commonly taken 'immune boosting' supplements could lead to irreversible liver damage. These were turmeric, green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, black cohosh, red yeast rice, and ashwagandha. The scientists, from the University of Michigain, highlighted evidence showing these common supplements may contain ingredients that lead to permanent liver injuries and organ failure. They warned that the effects 'can be not only severe' but also lead to 'death or liver transplantation.' They also noted that drug-induced liver injury, also called drug-induced hepatoxicity, specifically from supplements has increased and accounts for 20 per cent of these injuries in the US. Despite little to no scientific backed evidence to support supplements, around half of UK adults take them and by 2030, the industry is expected to be worth around £251.5bn, up from £136.5bn today.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Woman left with ‘dark, yellow, foul-smelling discharge' after taking hair growth supplement – as docs issue warning
A WOMAN was left with dark and smelly discharge coming from her vagina after taking hair supplements. The 64-year-old began using Spring Valley Hair Skin and Nail tablets in February after hearing about the positive effects they had on her cousin. According to the supplement's ingredients list, it contains biotin, vitamins A, C, E, niacin, and pantothenic acid, all known to help with hair growth and scalp health. However, less than a month into the course, she developed candida, a yeast infection more commonly known as thrush. It caused "dark, yellow, foul-smelling discharge" and a burning sensation when she peed, according to US doctors describing the case. "This highlights the possibility of links between common, readily available products that patients use every day without the realisation of unintended side effects," they said in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. "The patient would not normally consider that hair, skin, and nails treatment could be affecting her genitourinary (reproductive and urinary) system," they added. Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast that naturally lives in the body. In women, it most often affects the vagina, leading to symptoms like itching, burning, and unusual discharge. But it can also affect the mouth. "This is the first reported case of a hair, skin, and nails supplement associated with vaginal candidiasis," the authors wrote. Other side effects linked to similar supplements have included acne breakouts, skin rashes and nausea. A few days after stopping the supplement in mid-April, her symptoms gradually improved and eventually disappeared. NHS GP reveals how she boosted her hair growth By May, the discharge was gone, and there were no further issues during a follow-up visit in June. Doctors at Purdue University College of Pharmacy in West Lafayette investigated all other possible causes for the infection. They reviewed her medications, including aspirin, vitamin D, iron supplements, blood pressure and cholesterol tablets, sleep aids, and a topical anti-inflammatory gel. None were known to cause thrush. They also ruled out other common causes like bacterial infections, hormone imbalances, and risk factors such as diabetes, which could have led to similar symptoms. Although none of the active ingredients were known to cause thrush, doctors said preservatives or fillers in the supplement may have disrupted her vaginal pH. 'Even inactive ingredients can sometimes shift the balance of the microbiome,' they wrote. The Sun has contacted Spring Valley for comment. Supplement regulations Spring Valley Hair Skin and Nail tablets are primarily available in the US but can also be purchased online in the UK. In the US, supplements are regulated as food products under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. They don't require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before being sold, and manufacturers aren't obligated to prove they're safe or effective. "Because supplements are classified as food products, they don't undergo the same rigorous testing as medications, leaving potential side effects to go unnoticed," the doctors explained. In the UK, supplements are regulated under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, which align with EU and UK food laws. They must comply with general food safety legislation and cannot make misleading health claims. But, unlike medicines, supplements are not as strictly regulated and do not undergo the same rigorous testing. The nasty ingredients hiding in supplements Supplements can help us reach vitamin and mineral recommendations. But Dr Carol Granger, a registered nutrition practitioner with a degree in biochemistry and a masters in microbiology, warns of many additions to supplements, medications and foods that could cause side effects, and suggests doing your research before buying commercial pills. She tells Sun Health: 'Ingredients like talc, E numbers, and gelatin are all used as bulking agents or as colourings and they can have serious long-term health impacts like heartburn, dizziness, fainting and severe allergic reactions." Here are the worst culprits: Magnesium stearate Unlike the name suggests, this ingredient contains no magnesium (which may help with sleep, anxiety and bone health). Dr Granger says: 'This is used as a lubricant - it prevents ingredients sticking together and means the machines that make the tablets don't block.' But she warns that 'high amounts can cause a laxative effect and it can cause inflammation too, especially in those who are sensitive to allergies'. It's unlikely the small amount found in supplements is enough to do harm, but it may be worth reconsidering if you have been taking it for a long time. Ascorbyl Palmitate Ascorbyl palmitate is a form of vitamin C made by combining ascorbic and palmitic acids. It's considered safe in the amounts that are used when added to skincare. Dr Granger says: 'This is used as an antioxidant food additive and preservative meaning things with it in can have a longer use by date.' But she claims 'excess amounts can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting'. Aspartame You'll may be familiar with aspartame, which is a sugar-alternative often used in things like soft drinks, sweetened diet products or other 'low/no sugar' foods. Dr Granger says: 'This is a sweetener a lot of people have heard of. 'It's a flavour enhancer but because it's an artificial sweetener, it has been linked to weight gain.' Studies have found both that sweeteners like aspartame help people lose weight, but also gain weight by potentially increasing appetite. Several studies have linked high intakes to more serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia but there has been much debate about the results. But Dr Granger claims: 'It can affect metabolism so if you see it on any ingredient list, my advice would be to give it a wide berth.' Carrageenans Carrageenan is an ingredient that has long had concern surrounding it. Products with it may be labelled as 'natural' because it is derived from seaweed, therefore it is also found in some plant-based/vegan foods. But Dr Granger says: 'The processing used to make some types of carrageenan makes it into something you definitely don't want to consume. 'They're widely used as gelling agent and thickener. They can be used to prevent powder clumping so may be in powder supplements you add to smoothies. 'But some cause inflammation, are really bad for digestive health and have been linked to ulcers too. 'Some can also destabilise blood sugar and cause problems with blood sugar balance.' Calcium Phosphate Calcium phosphate is a mineral (calcium and phosphate) which are essential for bone, muscle, blood and nerve health. Some may benefit from additional calcium, such as menopausal women with weakening bones. But calcium phosphate is also used as an additive to products, from supplements to toothpaste and fertilizers. Dr Granger says: 'This is used to bulk out and buffer ingredients like vitamin C. 'Side effects can include kidney problems, loss of appetite and weakness.'
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Woman left with ‘dark, yellow, foul-smelling discharge' after taking hair growth supplement – as docs issue warning
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN was left with dark and smelly discharge coming from her vagina after taking hair supplements. The 64-year-old began using Spring Valley Hair Skin and Nail tablets in February after hearing about the positive effects they had on her cousin. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A woman developed thrush after taking Spring Valley Hair, Skin & Nail tablets According to the supplement's ingredients list, it contains biotin, vitamins A, C, E, niacin, and pantothenic acid, all known to help with hair growth and scalp health. However, less than a month into the course, she developed candida, a yeast infection more commonly known as thrush. It caused "dark, yellow, foul-smelling discharge" and a burning sensation when she peed, according to US doctors describing the case. "This highlights the possibility of links between common, readily available products that patients use every day without the realisation of unintended side effects," they said in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. "The patient would not normally consider that hair, skin, and nails treatment could be affecting her genitourinary (reproductive and urinary) system," they added. Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast that naturally lives in the body. In women, it most often affects the vagina, leading to symptoms like itching, burning, and unusual discharge. But it can also affect the mouth. "This is the first reported case of a hair, skin, and nails supplement associated with vaginal candidiasis," the authors wrote. Other side effects linked to similar supplements have included acne breakouts, skin rashes and nausea. A few days after stopping the supplement in mid-April, her symptoms gradually improved and eventually disappeared. NHS GP reveals how she boosted her hair growth By May, the discharge was gone, and there were no further issues during a follow-up visit in June. Doctors at Purdue University College of Pharmacy in West Lafayette investigated all other possible causes for the infection. They reviewed her medications, including aspirin, vitamin D, iron supplements, blood pressure and cholesterol tablets, sleep aids, and a topical anti-inflammatory gel. None were known to cause thrush. They also ruled out other common causes like bacterial infections, hormone imbalances, and risk factors such as diabetes, which could have led to similar symptoms. Although none of the active ingredients were known to cause thrush, doctors said preservatives or fillers in the supplement may have disrupted her vaginal pH. 'Even inactive ingredients can sometimes shift the balance of the microbiome,' they wrote. The Sun has contacted Spring Valley for comment. Supplement regulations Spring Valley Hair Skin and Nail tablets are primarily available in the US but can also be purchased online in the UK. In the US, supplements are regulated as food products under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. They don't require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before being sold, and manufacturers aren't obligated to prove they're safe or effective. "Because supplements are classified as food products, they don't undergo the same rigorous testing as medications, leaving potential side effects to go unnoticed," the doctors explained. In the UK, supplements are regulated under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, which align with EU and UK food laws. They must comply with general food safety legislation and cannot make misleading health claims. But, unlike medicines, supplements are not as strictly regulated and do not undergo the same rigorous testing.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Live Hookworms Discovered in Woman's Intestine During Scan
A medical scan showed live hookworms in a woman's stomach, shocking doctors who said she didn't have the telltale gastrointestinal symptoms of the parasitic infection. The Chinese farmer, 75, first went to the doctor while struggling with dizziness, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, and weakness 'without any obvious cause,' according to an article on the case in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. The woman, from China's Yongzhou City, was diagnosed with anemia and stomach inflammation, and tested positive for a bacterial stomach infection. But treatment, the study says, didn't improve her symptoms — prompting doctors to prescribe an endoscopy. Related: Cockroach Extracted from Man's Small Intestine — and It Was Still Alive An endoscopy involves a long thin tube being inserted in the mouth to examine organs up close, the Cleveland Clinic explains. In the woman's case, the endoscopy showed 'the presence of live nematodes [worms] in the descending portion of the patient's duodenum,' which is the beginning of the small intestine. Researchers then examined her stool, which revealed the presence of hookworm eggs. Parasitic worms infect up to 480 million people globally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control explains. The infection is usually contracted by walking barefoot on soil contaminated by the feces of a person or animal who has the infection. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Related: Parasites Bury in Woman's Eye After She Went Swimming in Contact Lenses: 'Most Pain I've Ever Experienced' It generally causes diarrhea and abdominal pain, which the woman didn't experience, but can also cause the symptoms she did exhibit, which were anemia, loss of appetite and fatigue. The Hunan Province, where the woman lives, "has also made significant progress in controlling hookworms," the study notes, saying the rate of infection decreased from 22.86% in 1994 to 0.43% in 2020. Still, while "the rate of hookworm infection remains low, the risk [of infection] remains." She was treated with Albendazole — an FDA-approved medication according to the Mayo Clinic. Following a course of the medication, her anemia was cured. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
